Hi, lovelies! Today, I’m thrilled to host author Laura Zimmerman on my blog to talk about her debut novel KEEN!

I had the privilege of reading the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), and I was so eager to endorse it — it’s amazing! But I’ll allow Laura to share more about her story (and don’t forget to read on–special dates,  KEEN’s blurb, and blog tour information  are below!) Enjoy!

 

Do you ever wonder what inspired an author to include specific details ina book? There’s a good chance that many of them aren’t random! Much of my own personal life is echoed throughout the pages of KEEN. Let’s talk about it!

Our hero, Oliver, has a secret obsession with being a musician. This is no coincidence as I was a music major in college. My father has always played guitar, so when I was young it was normal to find one lying around the house. I liked the idea of pulling this small detail into the story and having Oliver find her dad’s guitar. When I was little, I’d sometimes hear my dad playing and singing while I fell asleep at night. Again, this was a special detail to Caoine’s story that I wanted to highlight.

Next we’ll visit with sidekick, Aubree. Her bubbly personality was inspired by a good friend of mine. They look nothing alike, but I just couldn’t help but picture my friend as I wrote! *giggles* I could hear the words of Aubree in my friend’s voice, and it helped me portray her character. There’s also a reference to Aubree being a Star Wars geek. That would be my fault. #StarWarsLoversUnite

The big scene with the drama teacher actually didn’t make it into the final cut of the book. I modeled her after my own drama teacher at our public school who directed the ninth grade production of “Good Luck, Charlie Brown.” For the production we borrowed large building blocks from another school that presented the show the year before for our cast to sit on while we performed our scenes. During one rehearsal, my teacher commented that she wondered what word the previous teacher had tried to spell with the oversized building blocks. I asked if it was possible that they were just random letters. Her reply? Nothing is ever a coincidence when it comes to the drama department! Although that scene with her was changed, I wanted to use that idea in regards to the theater production at Caoine’s school, and use the play at West Lincoln High to contribute to the story of KEEN.

That’s all I’ve got for this installment of Behind the Scenes! Be sure to check out the other stops on the blog tour to learn more about the characters that make up the world of KEEN!

 

Thanks, Laura! KEEN releases Tuesday, July 9th — and don’t forget to stop by the Facebook party on Thursday, July 11th!

You must walk the darkness to find the light.

Half-faerie Caoine has no control over the banshee lament she sings each night, predicting the death of others. A senior in a brand new high school, she expects the same response she’s received at every other school: judgment from fellow students over her unusual eyes and unnaturally white skin and hair. However, when Caoine arrives at West Lincoln High, for the first time in her life she finds friends. Real friends.

But being a teenager is never easy, especially when the star soccer player, Oliver, sets his sights on her. Allowing him to get close means revealing her curse to the human world.

She can’t let that happen.

Life spins further out of control when her lament comes out during the day, those whose death she predicts die right in front of her, and a dark faerie known only as the Unseelie prince blames Caoine by leaving her the creepiest notes ever.

Her curse is not supposed to work like that.

In a race against time, Caoine must uncover the Unseelie prince’s identity and stop a spell before it unleashes hell on earth, all while trying to control her banshee song and finding a place among her peers.

Senior year just got real.

 

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

• Monday, July 1st, Guest Post, Katherine Vinson, www.sparksofember.wordpress.com
• Monday, July 1st, Guest Post, Rebecca Bruner, www.rebeccabrunerauthor.com
• Tuesday, July 2nd, Visual Post, Kellie Parker, www.kelliemichelleparker.com
• Wednesday, July 3rd, Review, Tammera Ayers, www.beliedoutcastlegends.com
• Thursday, July 4th, Review/Interview, Pam Halter, www.pamhalter.com/fairiesfantasyfaith
• Friday, July 5th, Interview, Jebraun Clifford, www.jebraunclifford.com
• Friday, July 5th, Interview, Medomfo Owusu, www.writingsfromagodgirl.wordpress.com
• Saturday, July 6th, BookTube Review, Gretchen Engel, www.gretchenekengel.com
• Sunday, July 7th, Behind-the-Scenes Feature, Laurie Lucking, www.landsuncharted.com
• Monday, July 8th, Behind-the-Scenes Feature, J.M. Hackman, www.jmhackman.com
• Tuesday, July 9th, Release-Day Feature, Laura L. Zimmerman, www.lauralzimmerman.wordpress.com
• Wednesday, July 10th, Interview, Kelly Barr, www.kellyfbarr.com
• Wednesday, July 10th, Review, Vincent Vezza, www.hiddentreasurenovels.com
• Thursday, July 11th, FB Party Feature, Michele Israel Harper, www.MicheleIsraelHarper.com
• Friday, July 12th, Review, Abigail McKenna, www.novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com